To ensure accessibility and safety for everyone, many care providers are turning to online activity programs as a way of keeping their service users engaged and active in both social and physical ways. From telehealth consultations and tai chi classes, to book clubs and music performances, there are an insurmountable number of activities and conversations that can still be facilitated over video conferencing platforms like Zoom.
What is Zoom?
Zoom is a computer program used to hold online virtual meetings. Care providers can use Zoom to host virtual activity programs and online face-to-face meetings with their service users. Zoom is free to use and sign up for.
What do I need to use Zoom?
You'll need a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer that is connected to the internet.
If you are using a computer without a microphone or camera, you can still attend the Zoom meeting! You'll just enter the meeting so you can see the screen on your computer, and then you'll use your phone to call in. When you receive an email invitation for a virtual activity, Zoom will provide a list of numbers and a meeting ID to use when calling in.
How do I sign up for Zoom?
You can sign up for a Zoom account by visiting their website or downloading their app to your tablet or smartphone. Here is a video tutorial to guide you through the process. There are also written instructions below.
Creating a Zoom account from a computer
Go to zoom.us
Click on the 'Sign Up, It's Free' button in the top, right-hand corner
Enter your email address and click 'Sign Up' (or choose to sign in using your Google or Facebook account credentials)
Check your email inbox for an account verification message from Zoom
Click the 'Activate Account' button in the email
Follow the prompts to finish registering your Zoom account
Once your account is created, you can sign in to the Zoom website or app
Creating a Zoom account from a smartphone or tablet
Go the app store on your device
Search for 'ZOOM Cloud Meetings'
Download the app
Open the app and click on the 'Sign Up' button in the bottom, left-hand corner
Enter your email address and click 'Sign Up' (or choose to sign in using your Google or Facebook account credentials)
Check your email inbox for an account verification message from Zoom
Click the 'Activate Account' button in the email
Follow the prompts to finish registering your Zoom account
Once your account is created, you can reopen the ZOOM Cloud Meetings App and click the 'Sign In' button in the bottom, right-hand corner
How do I download Zoom?
If you've downloading the ZOOM Cloud Meetings app to your tablet or smartphone and intend to use that for joining Zoom meetings, there is no further action required. However, if you're using a computer you will need to download the Zoom software.
Downloading Zoom to a computer
Go to zoom.us
Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the Downloads column
Click the 'Download' button next to Zoom Client for Meetings
If you are using an Apple computer, you will need to go to your Downloads folder and double click on the file called Zoom.pkg (this will open the installer program and guide you through the process)
If you are using a PC computer, you will need to double-click the file called ZoomInstaller.exe to install the program
How do I join Zoom meetings?
From your Storii account
Visit storii.com or open the Storii Family App to login to your account (if you do not have a Storii account, see a member of care staff)
Click into your participant profile from the side bar (computer) or the top (app) menu
Navigate to the Calendar tab
Find the activity you want to join and click on the Join Video Call button
This should automatically open Zoom and place you into the meeting
From an email invitation
You may receive an email reminder to attend an activity that includes a Zoom link to join at the designated date and time. Simply click on the zoom link. This should automatically open Zoom and palce you into the meeting.
What do I do once I'm in a Zoom meeting?
There's nothing you need to do, but here's a few things that are helpful to know:
When you're in a Zoom meeting, you'll see a menu bar like this...
Audio & Video
If there's a red line going through the microphone or video camera buttons, your audio is muted and your video is off. It's up to you whether you want to turn them on or off. You might wish to press the microphone button and mute your audio if there's a lot of background noise in your home or you're participating in an activity that doesn't involve discussion (i.e. a presentation, music performance, etc). To speak, simply click the button again.
Participants
The Participants button shows you how many people are in the meeting. If you click on it, you will see a window pop up with the names of everyone in the meeting.
Chat
If you click on the Chat button (speech bubble icon), you will be able to type or respond to a message that all participants are able to see.
Share Screen
Typically, the only person who would need to share their screen is the activity host or facilitator. Only one person can share their screen at a time. If you're asked to share your screen for whatever reason, all you need to do is click the button. You'll be asked if you want to share your entire screen or just whatever screen or application is open on your computer.
Recording
Recording often has to do with permission levels and settings, so you may or may not see the option. It's best to make sure everyone in the meeting is okay with it being recorded. Recording a meeting could be helpful if there's information being shared that people will want to refer to again.
Leave/End Meeting
If you need to leave the meeting before it is finished, you can click on the red button in the bottom, left-hand corner of the screen.
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